Age-Friendly Newsletters

June 17, 2017 ​The Heart & Soul program asks what we value about our community and what we would change; watch for ways you can share your thoughts. FMI:http://www.mahoosucheartandsoul.org/news.html. Or contact Program Coordinator Cat Ingraham (207-590-0541,cat@mahoosucheartandsoul.org)Visit the AFCI website: www.agefriendlybethel.org. Our Age-Friendly Community Initiative focuses on making our community a great place for all ages. One key factor is the respect for older citizens and their access to social opportunities. Our area is rich in interesting, fun activities. Make it a habit to read the Bethel Citizen’s Community Calendar and the Chamber of Commerce’s listing of events. And remember to check out the interesting workshops at McLaughlin Garden, 743-8820.Are you caring for a family member with dementia? Valerie Cole, AFCI Council member and Seniors Plus Elder Services Specialist, will be facilitating a class in S. Paris on Thursdays from June 22-July 27 (see attached flyer). The class will help participants learn strategies that work, in a supportive class with other caregivers. FMI and to pre- register: 1-800-427-1241.Need a ride to a medical appointment? If you call three business days prior to your appointment, there’s help. The AFCI Volunteer Driver Program allows a senior 60 years and older to get a free ride, provided a volunteer driver is available - call Transportation Coordinator Kay Rector (824-4444). This program has served our community for 7 months now, and riders and their families express gratitude for this valuable assistance. We’d love to be able to serve more riders, but we need additional volunteer drivers. Can you help? Drivers are reimbursed at a rate of 41 cents per mile and can drive as much or as little as they like. Community Concepts will offer training on 6/21-23, 7/26-28, and 8/23-25. FMI: Kattie Roy (207-333-6414, kroy@communityconcepts.org).The AFCI Fitness Task Force has been developing seasonal programs for seniors. Be watching for more details on these outdoor summer opportunities: horseshoes, croquet, swimming, walking, jogging, and biking.Get AARP’s Watchdog Alerts, and find out how to protect yourself from scams at http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch- network. The following are also from AARP – either their website or the daily email alerts you may subscribe to.√ In light of the recent international cyber-attack, the best way to prevent ransom-ware attacks is to make sure every time your operating system or a software asks if it can run a system or security update, that you update it. Additionally you should: (1.) update Windows XP or any other older Microsoft operating systems; (2) back up your files remotely every day, but only on a hard drive that is not connected to the internet; (3) never open a suspicious email attachment. Never download an app that you haven’t verified with an actual store. Read reviews before installing programs; (4) make use of antivirus programs before downloading; they have the ability to scan files to see if they might contain ransom-ware.√ “Seven Surprising Hacks for a Bug-Free Kitchen.” Read the article athttp://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2017/7-tips-to- avoid-bugs-in-your-home. A little glimpse: basil, peppermint, a chalkline, flypaper, vinegar, lavender – and most surprising: cucumbers!√ “Don’t work out like you’re in your 20’s – ‘cause you’re not!” (Oh? I hadn’t noticed!) Their “body sustainability” expert advises that to live longer and better we should concentrate less on stressing our bodies and more on maintaining our body structure – specifically: “ . Don’t let your belly hang down. Engage those muscles! Inhale and elongate your tummy. 2. Shift your weight to the outside edges of your feet. This can help prevent collapsing arches and bunions. 3. Watch your posture when sitting. Most of us sit in a curved forward position. Straighten up! 4. Always stand with your feet parallel — and your weight equally distributed. Your feet will thank you. 5. We hold a lot of tension in our tongue. Seriously. Gentle pulling on your tongue can help relax your whole body.”√ (http://www.aarp.org/brandamp/greatcall/info-2017/smartphone-camera-uses): your smartphone camera can make you smile and help you in a number of ways – for instance, by taking a screenshot of anything you come across that you want to remember later – where you parked the car, a recipe, online coupons, cartoons, business hours, travel deals, etc. You can also a visual journal by snapping a daily photo of something that makes you happy, for a “gratitude reflection” later.√ (http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2016/mosquito- bites-sunscreen-summer-photo.): “18 Quirky Summer Health Tips” – and they are quirky! My favorite is perhaps just common sense: “Window Hazards - Yes, you can still damage your skin through a glass window. That’s because windows don’t filter out UVA rays. So cover up when driving or in your sunroom.”FMI: (by email)info.agefriendly@gmail.com(website)www.agefriendlybethel.org.